Folding lap book-rest.



H. c, BLAIR. FOLDING LAP BOOK REST. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 17, 19l3.

1,200,073. Patented Oct. 3,1916.

14 WITNESSES 6 6114;

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HENRY o. BLAIR, or HIL DELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING LAP BOOK-REST.

S pecification of Letters Patent.

Patented out. 3, 1916.

Application filed September 17, 1913. Serial No. 790,153.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY C. BLAIR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Folding Lap BooleRest, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in book rests adapted to be held in the lap, and to hold the book at a proper elevation therefrom, and at a proper distance from the readers eyes.

The object is to provide simple and eflicient means for so supporting a book, especially a heavy book. Said device is adapted to be folded in a small compass when not in use.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate merely by way of example, a preferred embodiment of my invention; Figure 1 is a view in perspective of my improved book rack in operative position. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of same. Fig. 3 is a. side elevation with part of the book board broken away. Fig. 4 is a detail of wireloop engaging means, in plan view.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Thebookrest consists ofthe book supporting board or body 5, having the usual resilient clamping, fingers 6 p for engaging the pages of the book. This board is provided with the ledge 7 for supporting the lower edges of the book. The structure supporting the book board 5, consists of a substantially rectangular frame normally adaptedto lie in a horizontal plane when in use, and upwardly projecting extensions therefrom disengageably connected with the book board. The rectangular frame is made of two wires or extensions hinged together. Extension 8 is preferably of spring metal and has the two parallel extensions 9 substantially at right angles with the intermediate portion or extension 8. These ex tensions 9 have portions 10 of their free ends bent slightly out of line with the main extensions 9, as shown in Fig. 8, and are provided with the hooks or lugs 11 at their extremities. The portions 10 are adapted to engage in the recesses 12 of a strip 13 secured on the back of the board or body 5 at the lower edge thereof. They are held in such position by the resilience of the wire. The wire extension 14 is rectangular in formation and has a hinged engagement as at 1 5, with extension 8. Extension or wire 14 is provided with the loop 16with which the brace wire 17 has a hinged engagement. vWire 17 is provided at its free end with a loop 18 which is adapted to be disengageably connected to the under side of the hook board 5 at about the center thereof, by a screw eye 19, turn button or similar device. Q

As thus assembled the rack is in condition for use. The wire extensions 14 and 8 form a rectangular frame which is adapted to rest upon the readers knees or lap and the extensions 9 and brace 17 support the book board 5 at a sufiicient elevation above the lap to hold the book inmost convenient position and at'the proper distance from the readers eyes. V I

By slightly pressing the extensions 9 toward each other the extensions 10'may be 7 withdrawn from apertures 12, and by turning the screw eye 19 the'loop 18 may be withdrawn therefrom, and thus the parts may be readilyfolded together when not in use.

The device is light, substantial and extremely simple in construction.

What I claim is V 1. The combination of a book supporting board,'a folding supporting structure there- 7 for, comprising a base frame having anintermediate extension and end extension substantially at right angles with the intermediate extension and a second frame pivotallyconnected with the base frame having resilient terminals, the board provided with recesses for disengageable connection with said terminals and a'brace hinged to V substantially at right angles with the interbase frame and adjustably and disengage mediate extension and a second frame pivably connected with the board.

otally connected with the base frame having HENRY C. BLAIR. resilient terminals, the board provided With Witnesses:

recesses for disengageable connection With MAE HOFMANN,

said terminals and a brace hinged to the HOWARD S. OKIE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. G. 

